Hot Tub Legionnaires disease Deaths Lead to Manslaughter Charges

An investigation by the UK’s Health Protection Agency following the deaths of three people from Legionnaires’ disease in Staffordshire discovered it was caused by a poorly maintained hot tub used for display purposes at a local DIY store. The water used in the hot tub had become contaminated with Legionella bacteria which can cause the potentially fatal condition, Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionella Contaminated Hot Tub

The victims were found to have visited the JTF store and subsequent water tests identified that the water used in the hot tub contained the same strain of Legionella bacteria as the three victims.

The coroner recently criticised the JTF store case after significant delays by both the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Police on their decision to prosecute the company concerned.

Corporate Manslaughter Charges

Although a full inquest has not yet taken place, a recent pre-inquest review last week revealed that corporate manslaughter charges will now be brought by the CPS over the deaths of two of the victims.

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